性侵害倖存者伴侶之生活經驗

Abstract

本研究旨在探討性侵害倖存者伴侶的生活經驗，特別關注伴侶在陪伴過程中所承受的壓力，及性侵害事件浮現後伴侶關係動態之轉變，研究問題為：伴侶知悉倖存者之性侵害事件後，對伴侶自身的影響，以及對雙方互動經驗之影響。本研究採用現象學取向，透過半結構式訪談收集研究參與者的生命故事，以還原伴侶在面對性侵害倖存者時的真實經歷，最後以女性主義視框分析研究結果與發現。 研究共招募到六位研究參與者，參與者年齡介於25至55歲，其中兩位為女同志，一位為異性戀女性，三位為異性戀男性。研究發現對伴侶自身的影響共浮現四個主題：「面對揭露之情緒反應」、「逐漸成為照顧者或保護者」、「自我壓抑與次級創傷壓力」以及「尋求支持並拓展對創傷的認識」；而對伴侶互動的影響則有以下五個主題：「性別角色壓力形成互動不對等」、「創傷對話可能強化或阻礙彼此連結」、「調整性關係與肢體互動規則」、「原生家庭與社會文化可能支持或阻礙復原」以及「信任彼此扶持成長」。從女性主義觀點則發現，性別腳本影響伴侶之回應與角色，且父權體制思維阻礙伴侶間之對等互動，不過藉由知識導入與伴侶間持續對話，有助於伴侶跳脫腳本與框架，幫助彼此走向創傷後成長。 本研究根據上述研究結果，針對諮商實務工作者、社會工作實務者、性侵害倖存者之伴侶與重要他人及未來研究者提供建議，期望能提升大眾對性侵害倖存者伴侶的理解，並為助人專業工作者提供關係系統的視角，以發展更多針對伴侶的支持與資源挹注，促進性侵害倖存者與伴侶雙方的復原與關係重建。This study aims to explore the lived experiences of partners of sexual assault survivors, with a particular focus on the emotional and relational pressures they encounter throughout the process of offering support. Special attention is given to the shifts in relational dynamics following the survivor’s disclosure of the assault. The central research questions are: How are partners affected—both personally and relationally—after learning about the survivor’s sexual assault? Adopting a phenomenological approach, this study collected participants’ life narratives through semi-structured interviews, seeking to reconstruct their authentic experiences in accompanying a survivor. The findings are interpreted through a feminist lens, in order to critically engage with the gendered dimensions and power dynamics embedded in these relational processes. Six participants, aged 25 to 55, were recruited, including two lesbian women, one heterosexual woman, and three heterosexual men. Four themes were identified regarding the partners’ individual experiences: (1) emotional responses to disclosure, (2) gradually assuming the role of caregiver or protector, (3) self-suppression and secondary traumatic stress, and (4) seeking support and expanding trauma-related knowledge. Additionally, five themes were found concerning the impact on the couple’s relationship: (1) gendered role expectations contributing to relational imbalance, (2) trauma-related conversations as potential facilitators or barriers to connection, (3) renegotiation of sexual and physical intimacy, (4) the dual role of family of origin and sociocultural norms in recovery, and (5) mutual trust as a foundation for shared growth. From a feminist perspective, the study highlights how gender scripts shape partners’ responses and roles, while patriarchal ideologies often hinder equitable interaction between partners. However, the incorporation of trauma-related knowledge and ongoing dialogue can empower partners to break free from rigid roles and move toward post-traumatic growth together. Based on these findings, the study offers recommendations for counseling practitioners, social work professionals, partners and significant others of survivors, as well as future researchers. It advocates for a relational systems perspective that enhances societal understanding of partners’ experiences and informs the development of more comprehensive support mechanisms that facilitate the healing and relational restoration of both survivors and their partners.